As Uganda grapples with the harsh reality of environmental degradation having lost over 41.6% of its forest cover in the last 100 years, a growing movement is taking root.
The Run4Climate initiative, now preparing for its fifth edition on June 29th, has emerged as a powerful force in reversing the trend, blending sports, community engagement, and environmental action.
A community led green revolution that blends awareness, action, and youth empowerment through the Run4Climate campaign to combat Uganda’s mounting environmental crisis.
In a nation where deforestation, climate change, and poor waste management have left communities vulnerable to floods, landslides, and poverty, the Run4Climate campaign is offering a fresh breath of hope and trees.
“We believe in raising a generation of young learners who are environmental stewards of tomorrow,” said Olara Moses Jimmy, the Partnerships and Communications Officer at Tree Adoption Uganda.
“Through school based environmental education and hands-on tree planting, we are nurturing future guardians of nature.”
This year’s edition, under the theme “Our Environment, Our Future”will be held at the Lugogo Hockey Pitch, and tickets are still available at UGX 25,000. The event not only aims to raise funds for tree planting but also to spread awareness about sustainable living.
The initiative has also extended beyond reforestation. Through its Waste Management for Flood Control Project, Tree Adoption Uganda has trained over 100 local groups to transform waste into useful products like briquettes, helping households transition to clean energy sources while generating income.
Katwesige Issa, the Assistant Commissioner for Forestry and Chairperson of the Run Out of Trees (ROOTS) campaign, praised the partnership. “ROOTS is a national call to action initiated by the Ministry of Water and Environment. It urges all Ugandans to align with our national and global environmental commitments, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he said.
“We are transitioning to solar-powered fridges in our pharmaceutical operations. This not only reduces our carbon footprint but also promotes reliable and sustainable cooling solutions,” said Kamara Linda Billiary, the regional manager Guardian Health Pharmacy.
Run4Climate 2025 is backed by a growing list of partners including Stanbic Bank, Guardian Health Pharmacy, Total Energies, Purifaaya Water, EcoMatcher, and others, proving that when it comes to saving Uganda’s environment, it takes a village.
The initiative, which started modestly in 2020 with just 400 participants, has since catalyzed major environmental interventions. Funds from the first run alone helped plant 30,000 trees in Bududa, one of the country’s most landslide-prone districts. The district has witnessed repeated disasters that displace families and destroy livelihoods.
